nimbus

noun

nim·​bus ˈnim-bəs How to pronounce nimbus (audio)
plural nimbi ˈnim-ˌbī How to pronounce nimbus (audio) -ˌbē How to pronounce nimbus (audio) or nimbuses
Synonyms of nimbusnext
1
a
: a luminous vapor, cloud, or atmosphere about a god or goddess when on earth
b
: a cloud or atmosphere (as of romance) about a person or thing
2
: an indication (such as a circle) of radiant light or glory about the head of a drawn or sculptured divinity, saint, or sovereign
3
a
: a rain cloud
b
: thunderhead
also : cumulus sense 2

Illustration of nimbus

Illustration of nimbus
  • nimbus 2

Synonyms of nimbus

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Examples of nimbus in a Sentence

fans are inevitably disappointed when the nimbus of glamour about their favorite celebrity turns out to be an illusion the nimbi for the sculpted figures around the exterior of the church are simple disks about the saints' heads
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is chili spaghetti, topped with a nimbus of fluffy, shredded cheddar. — Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026 The threat of violence has hovered like a nimbus cloud over this election season. — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 All these flat shapes are limned by dark lines — the reverse of the delicate nimbus of light surrounding them in the original. — Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2023 Beethoven’s music acquired its nimbus of divinity and settled into these capacious Xanadus. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for nimbus

Word History

Etymology

Latin, rainstorm, cloud; probably akin to Latin nebula cloud — more at nebula

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of nimbus was in 1606

Rhymes for nimbus

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Browse Nearby Words

nimbostratus
nimbus
nimbused
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Cite this Entry

“Nimbus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nimbus. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nimbus

noun
nim·​bus ˈnim-bəs How to pronounce nimbus (audio)
plural nimbi -ˌbī How to pronounce nimbus (audio)
-ˌbē
 or nimbuses
1
: a shining cloud about a god or goddess when on earth
2
: an indication (as a circle) of radiant light about the head of a drawn or sculptured god or saint
3
: a rain cloud

More from Merriam-Webster on nimbus

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nimbus

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